NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TSU News Release) – At one time tagged as the hardest working bass player in America, music legend Chuck Rainey will lecture and entertain students, faculty, staff and the community in a one-day appearance at Tennessee State University on Friday, Sept. 20.

As the first guest in the upcoming lecture series, “Music Matters: Hosted by Dr. Rod Taylor,” sponsored by the Department of Language, Literature, and Philosophy, the longtime performer and educator will speak to an English class about music and writing.

Rainey, whose playing on successful television shows, motion pictures and recordings have earned him the title as the most recorded bass player in the history of recorded music, will combine his lecture with a demonstration of his techniques/songs, to be followed by a question and answer period with the audience. The lecture and performance will be held in Poag Auditorium between 12:30-1:45 p.m.

Longtime Rainey collaborator and friend, Dr. Rod Taylor, assistant professor of Literature and Writing, whose English 1010 (Freshman Composition) class will be the subject of Rainey’s lecture, says he expects the music icon to bring a “unique perspective” to his class topic and to the process of writing.

“As a pioneer of both a musical instrument and revolutionary style, Chuck Rainey’s visit offers the students in my class a chance to talk with someone who has played his way across five decades of musical landscape, transitioning from 4-track analog days to the modern Pro Tools digital age,” said Taylor.

A noted bassist himself, Taylor, after whom the lecture series is named, was an associate producer on Rainey’s most recent solo album Interpretations of a Groove, which was partially mixed in Nashville.

Born in Cleveland, Ohio as Charles Walter Rainey III, Chuck boasts a native ‘son ship’ of Youngstown, Ohio, where he was actually raised and educated. Originally trained in the classics as a trumpet player by C.F. Brown, James Ramsey and John Busch, Chuck switched to Baritone Horn while attending Lane college in Jackson, Tenn., and was an intricate part of the school’s well known and traveled ‘brass ensemble’ in the early 60s.

During the early 60s thru the early 70s, Rainey toured and/or recorded with some of the most prominent artist of that era, such as King Curtis, Sam Cooke, Etta James, the original Coasters, Jackie Wilson, Harry Belafonte, Al Kooper, The Supremes, Labelle, Aretha Franklin, Roberta Flack and Quincy Jones.

Additionally, his unique style has brought him opportunities in the television and film industries where he has performed on musical themes and in the source music of numerous motion pictures, television series and sitcoms, along with radio and TV advertisements.

“Chuck Rainey’s bass lines have laid the foundation for many of the popular songs in pop, rock, jazz and fusion that emerged from the 60s and 70s,” Taylor wrote about his friend in an article in the Aug. 9, 2012 edition of No Treble, an online magazine for bass players. “From Aretha Franklin to Marvin Gaye to Steely Dan, he’s played an integral part in the music of at least five Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame inductees. His double stops, slides, and syncopated grooves are legendary, and—alongside James Jamerson, he remains one of the most influential players in our instrument’s history.”

Rainey’s Sept. 20 performance in Poag Auditorium will feature a mixture of music from some of his earlier and most recent recordings. The show begins promptly at 12:30 p.m. It is free and open to all. For more information contact Dr. Rod Taylor at rodctaylor1@gmail.com or 615-963-4896.

With nearly 9,000 students, Tennessee State University is Nashville’s only public university and is a comprehensive, urban, coeducational, land-grant university offering 38 undergraduate, 22 graduate and seven doctoral programs. TSU has earned a top 20 ranking for Historically Black Colleges and Universities according to U.S. News and World Report, and rated as one of the top Universities in the country by Washington Monthly for social mobility, research and community service. Founded in 1912 Tennessee State University celebrates 100 years in Nashville during 2012. Visit the University online at tnstate.edu

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TSU News Service) – The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently selected six research projects for funding through the annual 1890 Capacity-Building program. A total of $1,534,150 will be awarded to investigative teams in Tennessee State University’s College of Agriculture, Human and Natural Sciences. Funds will support two- and three-year research projects that advance the body of knowledge in agricultural science, education and extension services.

The USDA depends on results produced through these projects to help solve problems that impact farm efficiency and profitability, human nutrition and food safety while sustaining viable agricultural production and jobs in rural communities.

A total of 19 investigators will participate in funded research projects that range from developing strategies to reduce the harmful impact of beetles on Tennessee’s ornamental tree nursery industry to developing a tool to help consumers calculate and manage calories during food purchases. Funded projects include both laboratory- and community-based research.

USDA’s Capacity-Building program is a competitive opportunity for 1890 institutions. Funded research helps enhance and strengthen the quality of agricultural teaching, research and extension programs at the nation’s 18 historically black colleges and universities that offer degree programs in agricultural science, education, and family and consumer science.

With nearly 9,000 students, Tennessee State University is Nashville’s only public university and is a comprehensive, urban, coeducational, land-grant university offering 38 undergraduate, 22 graduate and seven doctoral programs. TSU has earned a top 20 ranking for Historically Black Colleges and Universities according to U.S. News and World Report, and rated as one of the top Universities in the country by Washington Monthly for social mobility, research and community service. Founded in 1912 Tennessee State University celebrates 100 years in Nashville during 2012. Visit the University online at tnstate.edu

Ron Cobbs, International Space Station Avionics Chief Engineer and TSU graduate, helped NASA engineers identify the cause of a serial interface issue with a spacesuit that malfunctioned during a spacewalk on July 16. (courtesy photo)

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TSU News Service) – Teamwork does pay even if you are not part of the team. Just be good at what you do.

Ask Ron Cobbs, a NASA avionics chief engineer assigned to the International Space Station operations. His input has helped investigators trying to unravel the cause of a spacesuit malfunction during a recent spacewalk.

“I personally am not part of the official Extravehicular Mobility Unit (space suit) investigation team that is looking into the suit anomaly,” said Cobb, a 1989 TSU graduate with a B.S. in Electrical Engineering. “

However, Cobbs said, since the problem appeared to be electrical, he was asked to “look into” the situation.

“I discovered that the problem was a systems problem relative to operational use of the serial port on the laptop side of the suit,” he added.

As a result, the procedures for the astronauts were rewritten and retested, and subsequently lead to identifying the problem.

“It worked,” Cobbs exclaimed to the excitement of his fellow engineers.

It all started on July 16 when astronaut Luca Parmitano was doing a spacewalk outside the ISS when his suit malfunctioned, cutting short the spacewalk or extravehicular activity. Water used to cool the suit started to leak into his air ventilation system, causing the astronaut’s helmet to start filling with water. Crewmembers sent a short video describing the incident to ground control engineers.

Immediately, a team of investigators, not including Cobbs, was assembled to see what was the cause of the problem with the spacesuit. However, as astronauts and team engineers were having problem downloading the data from the suit for analysis, Cobbs was called in to troubleshoot the problem.

“I am not a mechanical engineer, nor would I have been able to troubleshoot the air recycling/thermal system, but they did call me because of a serial interface issue and I was able to help,” Cobbs said, adding, “The operations group wrote the procedures and the engineers told them how the hardware works, but forgot to tell them that everything works as a system.”

He said, operationally, the laptop Wi-Fi on the spacesuit was active with software loads operating in the background, but “no one asked how they all interact together.”

“It is not enough to know about the design product, but also how it works in the environment, what are the interfaces to the design, and who are the users. All of this is known as the Concept of Operations, which was not appropriately applied in this situation to find the cause of the problem,” Cobbs added.

Cobbs, who also holds a master’s degree in Space Systems Engineering from Stevens Institute of Technology, said to solve the problem, he repeated the steps of the “documented procedure” to see if he could come out with the same “error.”

“I found out that there were some ambiguities that created the problem. The hardest part in the procedures was making sure they were clear so that anyone could understand them. Never assume that they already know,” he added.

“Ronald Cobbs is a true example of an electrical engineering graduate with passion for life-long learning and professional growth,” Dr. Satinderpaul Singh Devgan, professor and head of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, said of his former student.

“I think Ron Cobbs’ achievement at NASA is a great story,” added Dr. S. Keith Hargrove, dean of the College of Engineering.

Cobbs, who graduated TSU with honors, is a member of the Eta Kappa Nu Honor Society. He joined NASA at the Johnson Space Center immediately after graduating TSU. He has moved through the ranks from design engineer, systems engineer to now ISS avionics chief engineer.

With nearly 9,000 students, Tennessee State University is Nashville’s only public university and is a comprehensive, urban, coeducational, land-grant university offering 38 undergraduate, 22 graduate and seven doctoral programs. TSU has earned a top 20 ranking for Historically Black Colleges and Universities according to U.S. News and World Report, and rated as one of the top Universities in the country by Washington Monthly for social mobility, research and community service. Founded in 1912 Tennessee State University celebrates 100 years in Nashville during 2012. Visit the University online at tnstate.edu

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TSU News Service) – The Office of Undergraduate Admissions and Recruitment has stepped up its efforts to ensure that all potential high school graduates in the state see Tennessee State University as their first choice for post-secondary education.

In a series of gatherings sponsored across the state in the last month, administrators and staff of the Admissions office have been holding talks with key high school “gatekeepers” or guidance counselors to expose them to programs at TSU, in the hope of counselors steering their students to seek admission at the University.

In just August alone, luncheons were held with nearly 160 high-school guidance counselors in Nashville, Memphis and Chattanooga.

“The purpose of these luncheons was to foster working relations with guidance counselors across the state,” said Dr. Sedric Griffin, director of Admissions and Recruitment. “They were also intended to enhance the Admissions office’s ability to communicate with counselors to discuss strategies, build relationships, and move prospective students through the admission funnel as quickly as possible.”

At the Nashville luncheon on Aug. 23, during which TSU President, Dr. Glenda Glover, welcomed more than 90 guidance counselors to the campus, Admissions officials reminded the visitors about programs and services that make TSU the go-to university for prospective high school graduates.

“Students coming to Tennessee State University get personal attention, outstanding scholarship and career opportunities, not to mention good return on investment because of the type of programs we offer to ensure on-time or early graduation, using the least amount of money,” Griffin told the guidance counselors.

He also spoke about the University’s service-to-learning program, as a key component for college completion at TSU.

“This exposes students to community engagement activities, while earning credits, such as the annual Day of Service when student volunteers gather at sites across the city to paint, cleanup or help needy, hungry and homeless people in the Greater Nashville area.”

At each gathering across the state, the guidance counselors were introduced to TSU admission counselors assigned to their individual schools or districts, followed by one-on-one meetings.

“The goal here is to ensure adequate line of open communication, and for guidance counselors to get information about our various programs directly from the right source,” said Dr. Gregory Clark, director of Alumni Outreach and High School Relations.

“We also see this gathering as a way to engage with the high school guidance counselors in a collaboration that exposes them to our offerings,” added Dr. John Cade, associate vice president for Enrollment, shortly before the Nashville meeting. “We find this to be very rewarding for Metro (Metro Nashville Public Schools) and Tennessee State University.”

In another recruitment effort, the Office of Undergraduate Admissions and Recruitment on Aug. 28 sponsored an “application party” for seniors at LEAD Academy High School in Nashville, the first in the school’s history. More than 65 percent of the students participated in the party, by completing and handing in application packets to attend Tennessee State University, according to Darrius Brooks, TSU admissions counselor assigned to LEAD.

With nearly 9,000 students, Tennessee State University is Nashville’s only public university and is a comprehensive, urban, coeducational, land-grant university offering 38 undergraduate, 22 graduate and seven doctoral programs. TSU has earned a top 20 ranking for Historically Black Colleges and Universities according to U.S. News and World Report, and rated as one of the top Universities in the country by Washington Monthly for social mobility, research and community service. Founded in 1912 Tennessee State University celebrates 100 years in Nashville during 2012. Visit the University online at tnstate.edu

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TSU News Service) – The College of Engineering at Tennessee State University recently named Dr. Gouranga Banik as head of civil and architectural engineering. He assumed his current position August 15.

Most recently, Banik served as President and CEO for Bencons LLC, a private engineering services company. His previous experience also includes serving as professor of construction management at Southern Polytechnic State University from 1998 until 2012.

While at SPSU, Banik helped the department to increase student enrollment and graduation, research and scholarship. In the academic arena, he had significant experience of leading graduate programs, starting new academic programs, and faculty development and governance issues. He led the architectural engineering division as Division and Program Chair, and the Construction Engineering Division as Program Chair for the American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE), where he served as proceeding editor besides other leadership responsibilities. Banik served the continuing education committee of American Society of Civil Engineering (ASCE) as Chair, and on the editorial board of Leadership and Management in Engineering. In addition, he received the Teacher of the Year award for 2007 and Outstanding Faculty award by SPSU for his excellence in the classroom, and also received the National Teaching award by the Associated School of Construction (ASC).

“Dr. Banik brings with him a wealth of leadership experience and the entrepreneurial skills necessary for building partnerships and developing strong educational programs,” said Dr. S. Keith Hargrove, Dean of the College of Engineering. “Additionally, he brings a broad and distinct interdisciplinary perspective to the Department. These attributes are essential to position the Department of Civil and Architectural Engineering for regional and national recognition as a leader in engineering and science education, research and technology innovation.”

Banik’s research focuses on sustainability, infrastructure systems and engineering education. He has ideas on how to infuse the undergraduate curriculum with interdisciplinary and project-based learning; promoting innovative research in critical areas of the built environment and developing cooperative relationships with leaders in the region’s engineering and construction industry to help promote an adaptive, sustainability-conscious industry framework. Being a certified project manager and professional engineer, Banik developed qualities and competencies to plan, manage, lead programs and projects to a successful end.

“I am excited about the possibilities at the University,” Banik said. “We want to be known for addressing the grand challenges facing us, creating excellent educational infrastructure, experiences and programs for our students who will be recognized in the industry as leaders, problem solvers, innovators and entrepreneurs.”

Banik earned a Ph.D. in Civil Engineering from Iowa State University, an M.S. in Project Management from University of Manchester-Institute of Science & Technology (United Kingdom), and a B.S. and M.S. in Civil Engineering from the Bangladesh University of Engineering & Technology. As a registered professional engineer, he is a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers, the Construction Institute, Transportation Research Board, and the American Society for Engineering Education.

With nearly 9,000 students, Tennessee State University is Nashville’s only public university and is a comprehensive, urban, coeducational, land-grant university offering 38 undergraduate, 22 graduate and seven doctoral programs. TSU has earned a top 20 ranking for Historically Black Colleges and Universities according to U.S. News and World Report, and rated as one of the top Universities in the country by Washington Monthly for social mobility, research and community service. Founded in 1912 Tennessee State University celebrates 100 years in Nashville during 2012. Visit the University online at tnstate.edu

NASHVILLE (TSU News Service) – A weekend of traditional Kurdish music, dance, art and food will take place at the Performing Arts Center and Kean Hall on the Tennessee State University campus, Friday, Sept. 6 through Sunday, Sept. 8.

The 2nd Annual Kurdish Arts Festival, sponsored by the Kurdish Cultural Institute, and Tennessee State University, will be one of the most exciting Kurdish showcases in Nashville and North America. Kurdish artists and creative talents from the U.S. and from countries around the world including Turkey, Iraq, Europe and Canada, are scheduled to perform and present the rich history of the Kurdish heritage.

The Festival kicks off Friday from 5-10 p.m. at the Performing Arts Center. There will be a reception, Kurdish dance show and music during the opening night festivities. Ticket prices for Friday’s opening night events are $10 per person.

Saturday’s events begin at 10 a.m. with an educational seminar. The events take place until 8 p.m. and include music, short films, theater, guest speakers and award presentations. Admission is $10. Lunch consisting of traditional Kurdish food will also be available for purchase.

The three-day event wraps up Sunday with a Festival Celebration beginning at 6 p.m. until 11:30 p.m. in Kean Hall. Admission is $15 and will include a night of traditional dance and music.

Ticket prices for children 6-10 are $5 with children under 6 admitted free. TSU students, faculty and staff admitted free with University ID.

According to organizers, the annual festival is the premier Kurdish artistic and cultural networking event in the States, and one of the most exciting Kurdish showcases in North America, and is expected to draw thousands of guests to Nashville and Tennessee State University. Proceeds from the Festival will assist in building a scholarship foundation for Kurdish students, both in the United States and abroad who are in need of financial assistance, and to allow them the opportunity to study and further their education in the areas of arts and music at Tennessee State University.

With nearly 9,000 students, Tennessee State University is Nashville’s only public university and is a comprehensive, urban, coeducational, land-grant university offering 38 undergraduate, 22 graduate and seven doctoral programs. TSU has earned a top 20 ranking for Historically Black Colleges and Universities according to U.S. News and World Report, and rated as one of the top Universities in the country by Washington Monthly for social mobility, research and community service. Founded in 1912 Tennessee State University celebrates 100 years in Nashville during 2012. Visit the University online at tnstate.edu

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TSU News Service) – While educators are praising President Obama’s recently announced blueprint for making college more affordable, that announcement was not an immediate music to Dimetrius James II’s ears.

The junior Mass Communications major at Tennessee State University had just hours to come up with nearly $5,000 left on his fees and tuition or he would be dropped from his classes and sent home packing.

“I have never been so concerned, worried and almost frustrated,” said the St. Louis native, as he was about to be purged by the registrar’s office. “I had no where to turn; time was running out; and I couldn’t call my parents because they are both unemployed.”

As the cost to attend college continues to spiral upward, James and many students like him who yearn for an education but lack the means to support their dream, face an unlikely future.

But then it does not have to be this way, according to a group of other TSU students.

“To see our fellow students come this far and only to be turned away and cut short their dream for an education is just not fair,” said Devonte Johnson, president of the Student Government Association.

In what has been described as a “students helping students” initiative, and for the second year in a row, the SGA set aside funds from its institutional appropriation to help students like James who cannot meet their full fees.

At a gathering on campus this morning, the SGA president, accompanied by other officers of the student group, presented a check for $17,000 to TSU President, Dr. Glenda Glover to cover the extra expenses for 75 students who had a 4:30 p.m. deadline to come up with their balances or be dropped.

“I am very proud of our students to see the need to come to the aid of their fellow students,” said Dr. Glover, a TSU alumna, who recalled being nearly purged as a student because she did not have her full fees. “I know the feeling of coming this far and being told you are going to be dropped, but thanks to an organization, I was able to stay in school.”

Surrounded by other senior University administrators, the President thanked the SGA and TSU students, who she said, could have spent their funds for other activities, but felt helping their fellow students was a better use for the money.

Now James, who said he only heard about the SGA assistance this morning, can sit easy.

“This is a major help and very thoughtful of our student leadership,” James said. “I am very thankful to them and our financial aid office for all the help that is going to help me stay in school.”

With nearly 9,000 students, Tennessee State University is Nashville’s only public university and is a comprehensive, urban, coeducational, land-grant university offering 38 undergraduate, 22 graduate and seven doctoral programs. TSU has earned a top 20 ranking for Historically Black Colleges and Universities according to U.S. News and World Report, and rated as one of the top Universities in the country by Washington Monthly for social mobility, research and community service. Founded in 1912 Tennessee State University celebrates 100 years in Nashville during 2012. Visit the University online at tnstate.edu

Dr. Brenda S. McAdory, a cell and neurobiologist at TSU, prepares beta 2 chimaerin samples in her lab to be injected into mice, as part of her study with Johns Hopkins scientists on “axon pruning” or the removal of excess nerve cells on the brain. (photo by Emmanuel Freeman, TSU Media Relations)

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TSU News Service) – Schizophrenia and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder are two major diseases that affect millions of Americans. Studies show nearly 2.4 million American adults have schizophrenia, according to the National Institute of Mental Health, while 8 to 10 percent of all school-aged children born in the United States suffer from ADHD, a common behavioral disorder.

But understanding the exact causes of diseases like these, which affect the nerve cells in the brain, have been debated for nearly a century. Scientists think they may finally be closing in on answers.

A Tennessee State University scientist, working with other researchers at Johns Hopkins Medical Institute in Baltimore, said through a normal process called “axon pruning,” which is the removal of “excess” nerve cells in the brain, the causes of these diseases could be eliminated.

Dr. Brenda S. McAdory

Dr. Brenda S. McAdory, a cell and neurobiologist and associate professor in the Department of Biological Sciences, explained that, during development, nerve cells make more connections with each other than are needed, therefore, some connections must be removed for the brain to function or communicate efficiently.

“If these connections are not removed, then a human may display certain brain disorders such as Schizophrenia and/or attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder,” said McAdory, who for the second year in a row, has been awarded a summer visiting professorship at Johns Hopkins, under the sponsorship of the American Society of Cell Biology.

Working in the lab of Dr. Alex Kolodkin, a renowned Howard Hughes Professor of Neuroscience, McAdory and her fellow scientists studied the role of the protein beta 2 chimaerin in axon pruning that occurs in mice during postnatal development.

“The results of our studies indicate that beta 2 chimaerin does indeed play a role in axon pruning, the lack of which has been linked to diseases such as schizophrenia and ADHD. Our task now is to determine how beta 2 chimaerin leads to axon pruning,” said McAdory. “Once we understand the molecules inherent in causing this disorder, then we can begin to work for a cure or treatment.”

She said, as part of the relationship with the Johns Hopkins Medical Institute, a portion of the cutting-edge research will be continued at TSU involving biology students.

“This collaboration will give our students resources at Johns Hopkins that could lead to opportunities for graduate studies, as well as grant opportunities for funding at TSU in other areas of molecular biology,” McAdory added.

The TSU professor was one of only four chosen nationwide in a competitive selection process for the nearly nine-week (June 3 – Aug. 9), $17,500 ASCB visiting professorship award. Results of the nine-week visiting professorship will be presented in an oral mini-symposium at the annual meeting of ASCB in New Orleans in December.

With nearly 9,000 students, Tennessee State University is Nashville’s only public university and is a comprehensive, urban, coeducational, land-grant university offering 38 undergraduate, 22 graduate and seven doctoral programs. TSU has earned a top 20 ranking for Historically Black Colleges and Universities according to U.S. News and World Report, and rated as one of the top Universities in the country by Washington Monthly for social mobility, research and community service. Founded in 1912 Tennessee State University celebrates 100 years in Nashville during 2012. Visit the University online at tnstate.edu

Beginning in November, SiriusXM subscribers will be able to hear programing from Tennessee State University on the satellite provider’s Channel 142 as part of the HBCU Network, including the Black Docs. They are (L-R) Drs. Iris Johnson Arnold, Heather O’Hara-Rand, Tameka Winston, Crystal deGregory and Keisha Bean. (courtesy photo)

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TSU News Service) – Subscribers to SiriusXM satellite radio will soon be able to listen to programming originating from Tennessee State University.

Beginning in November, Tennessee State Talk and Black Docs will be broadcast over the airwaves, online and through mobile devices on Channel 142 by the satellite radio provider.

Tennessee State Talk is an upbeat yet informative program that provides an in-depth look at University news, accomplishments and more, all while displaying the talents of the TSU community.

Black Docs features a panel of five African American trailblazing female doctors from different fields who will share their opinions on numerous subjects important to the community including HBCU history, mental health, healthy living, and much more. The program currently airs Thursdays at 10 a.m. on the University’s radio station, WTST.

Dr. Tameka Winston, assistant professor in the Department of Communications at TSU, as well as creator and executive producer of both shows, felt it was time for a show such as Black Docs.

“Each host and co-host brings her own unique experiences, which leads to informative yet fun and witty discussions,” explained Winston. “Whether you’re looking for information about education, relationships, health or current events, we’ve got a doctor for you. I think listeners are sure to connect with the five doctors right from the start.”

Along with Winston, co-hosts include Drs. Crystal deGregory, faculty member at TSU, and founder and executive editor of HBCUSTORY Inc., a nonprofit advocacy initiative preserving, presenting and promoting inspiring stories of the historically black colleges and universities; and Iris Johnson Arnold, associate professor with the Department of Speech Language Pathology and Audiology at TSU. Her areas of study include speech and language development and disorders with collateral areas in multicultural and psychosocial variables affecting communication.

Other co-hosts include Drs. Keisha Bean, a licensed psychologist for the state of Tennessee with a Health Service Provider designation, working as a psychologist for Deberry Special Needs Prison for incarcerated men, and sole proprietor of Bean Counseling and Consulting Services; and Heather O’Hara-Rand, a board certified physician in Occupational Medicine and board eligible in Preventive Medicine, and assistant professor in the Department of Family and Community Medicine at Meharry Medical College.

Winston rounds out the panel, who teaches a variety of undergraduate level courses at TSU including newswriting, social media practices, multimedia storytelling, public speaking and introduction to mass communications. She recently won the College of Liberal Arts faculty award, and researched and developed the department’s new print curriculum. Winston has also authored and published a public speaking textbook, Understanding the Speechmaking Process, which is used by all students at the University.

In addition to teaching and scholarly research, Winston is also the creator, executive producer and host for both programs, and serves as the Director of TSU News Network. Joe Richie, radio operation manager for the Department of Communications, serves as the advisor for both programs.

The programs will debut on the HBCU Radio Network, one of the two channels leased to Howard University from SiriusXM radio December 2011. The HBCU Network will provide music and talk programs from historically black colleges and universities, including Tennessee State University.

With nearly 9,000 students, Tennessee State University is Nashville’s only public university and is a comprehensive, urban, coeducational, land-grant university offering 38 undergraduate, 22 graduate and seven doctoral programs. TSU has earned a top 20 ranking for Historically Black Colleges and Universities according to U.S. News and World Report, and rated as one of the top Universities in the country by Washington Monthly for social mobility, research and community service. Founded in 1912 Tennessee State University celebrates 100 years in Nashville during 2012. Visit the University online at tnstate.edu

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TSU News Service) – Math and Science teachers are desperately needed in schools in Nashville and across the state to help prepare the country’s youth for a labor market dominated by jobs in science and technology.

Tennessee State University will now be doing its part to inspire students to teach in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or STEM, when it was recently announced that the College of Agriculture, Human and Natural Sciences was awarded $1.2 million to support and prepare STEM majors to become K-12 teachers.

Dr. Elaine Martin, associate professor of Biology, College of Agriculture, Human and Natural Sciences. Martin and her team of professors and instructors won a $1.2 million National Science Foundation grant to encourage students to teach science and math to elementary, middle and high school students in high-need districts. (courtesy photo)

Funded through the National Science Foundation’s Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program, the grant will support “Project Tiger Teach,” a new program designed to help train students majoring in biology, chemistry or mathematics receive their teacher certification, who will in turn, land jobs teaching in high-need school districts.

The program, according to Dr. Elaine Martin, associate professor of Biology and director of the project, will be a collaborative partnership between the University and the Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools System. The goals of the partnership are to increase the number of highly-qualified certified, high school STEM teachers in high-need schools in the Nashville area, increase teacher diversity with emphasis on recruiting African-American male STEM teachers, and provide four years of mentoring and professional development opportunities to graduates.

“This is a great opportunity for TSU to recruit and support students with strong science and math backgrounds into higher education,” added Martin. “Over the next four years, the Noyce grant will allow us to recruit individuals into the program with strong STEM backgrounds who might otherwise not have considered a career in K-12 teaching.”

Another outcome of the project will be to place teachers from underrepresented groups such as African Americans, Hispanics and Native Americans into the same type classroom category and increase the student-to-teacher ratio of both groups.

“A recent survey of students enrolled in biology and mathematics courses at TSU revealed that 30 percent are interested in considering teaching math or science in K-12 schools,” said Martin, “while 40 percent would consider obtaining teacher licensure in math or science if they could obtain it within their four-year college program.

“Additionally, an overwhelming 66 percent of participants surveyed would consider obtaining a teaching license and teach at least five years in K-12 schools if full tuition and a summer internship were provided. Through this program, we anticipate an increase in high school and post-secondary graduation rates that will address Tennessee’s and the nation’s shortage of STEM professionals.”

When the program kicks off, scholarship money will support a total of 40 undergraduate students over the next four years to go through Project Tiger Teach. Each year, three students majoring in biology, two in chemistry and five in mathematics will be assisted by the program.

Students wishing to apply for the program must have completed 60 credit hours with a minimum GPA of 3.0. The Noyce grant provides scholarships in the amount of $12,000 per year for a period of two years for the future classroom leaders to complete their degrees with teacher certification. They must agree to teach two years for each year of scholarship support in a “high needs” school district in Tennessee and the Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools.

Participants will also take part in summer institutes that include tutoring high school students in the Regents Math Academy and Tennessee State University’s Math and Science Center. By the end of their sophomore year, Noyce Scholars are admitted to the teacher certification program in biology, chemistry or mathematics.

Before their senior year, students must then complete four educational courses and all required content courses in preparation for the MNPS high school-based Residency I and Residency II.

Along with Martin, the grant was awarded to co-directors Dr. Jeanetta Jackson, Department of Mathematics; Dr. Heraldo Richards, College of Education; and Dr. Artenzia Young-Seigler, Department of Biological Sciences.

“This project will be a boost to the College’s STEM education and teacher preparation efforts, particularly for minority populations,” said Dr. Chandra Reddy, Dean of the College of Agriculture, Human and Natural Sciences. “This is a prestigious grant our faculty received that will give us the opportunity to work together with Metro School system in preparing and in serving their STEM teacher needs. It is a win-win project for TSU and the community.”

The Noyce scholarship is named for Robert Noyce, co-founder of Intel Corp and the scientist awarded the 1961 patent for the integrated semiconductor. The scholarship was funded through the NSF Authorization Act of 2002 in response to a critical need for teachers in science and math.

With nearly 9,000 students, Tennessee State University is Nashville’s only public university and is a comprehensive, urban, coeducational, land-grant university offering 38 undergraduate, 22 graduate and seven doctoral programs. TSU has earned a top 20 ranking for Historically Black Colleges and Universities according to U.S. News and World Report, and rated as one of the top Universities in the country by Washington Monthly for social mobility, research and community service. Founded in 1912 Tennessee State University celebrates 100 years in Nashville during 2012. Visit the University online at tnstate.edu